My replacement PW overview

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I just tried what you did and did not notice that problem. I have Page Refresh set to On.

I have the same firmware as you so it may be your screen layers again. Maybe it happens with Page Refresh set to Off.

As I've mentioned several times previously, I have Page Refresh set to ON. That is the first thing I do with a new Kindle. Other people are seeing it too, so it must be more than hardware especially since it is also happening on the Touch.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As I've mentioned several times previously, I have Page Refresh set to ON. That is the first thing I do with a new Kindle. Other people are seeing it too, so it must be more than hardware especially since it is also happening on the Touch.

I'm using English (United States), Caecilia, second font size down from the largest, the most dense line spacing (all the way to the left) and widest margins (all the way to the right).

Try those settings and see if you still get that problem after an overlay. It could be a problem with a particular font.

If you get that problem with just one particular setting, then you couid call CS and have them pass the information up to the developers for the next firmware version.

[vxf]

Originally Posted by jswinden

One rather annoying thing I'm seeing is that after you look up a word in the dictionary or pull up a menu or change the light setting--basically do anything that causes a small window to be overlaid on top of the text--once the overlaid window closes a large portion of the text on the page is displayed much thinner and lighter, and this isn't always just the text that had been overlaid. I can restore the text by forcing a page refresh by paging back then paging forward to redisplay the page. But this is an inconvenience. Amazon needs to force a total page refresh whenever an overlaid window closes.

I noticed that as well. I also noticed that flipping page (forward than back again, for example) fixes it.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by vxf

I noticed that as well. I also noticed that flipping page (forward than back again, for example) fixes it.

Or, as I do on the Touch, touch the top (menu), then exit it. Same result, different method.

[Philz]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As I've mentioned several times previously, I have Page Refresh set to ON. That is the first thing I do with a new Kindle. Other people are seeing it too, so it must be more than hardware especially since it is also happening on the Touch.

How long did it take to get your replacement? I had the lower left super bright spot and the colors off (driving me nuts, as a graphic designer I can deal with a bit but both are just argh).

They telling me it'll be between Nov 6th and Nov 15th! But I have to get it to them in 30 days! Not exactly happy with that... Being in college, I need the kindle to read books excessively, this means I'll have to keep my Kindle Keyboard 3G while I wait for yet another Paperwhite 3g!

Originally Posted by Philz

How long did it take to get your replacement? I had the lower left super bright spot and the colors off (driving me nuts, as a graphic designer I can deal with a bit but both are just argh).

They telling me it'll be between Nov 6th and Nov 15th! But I have to get it to them in 30 days! Not exactly happy with that... Being in college, I need the kindle to read books excessively, this means I'll have to keep my Kindle Keyboard 3G while I wait for yet another Paperwhite 3g!

At first they told me the end of Oct. I read how others were getting it earlier so I called them the next day and said I was really upset that it would take so long, especially since it took a month the first time to get it, and said I really needed a Kindle to read on. They then offered me the 3G upgrade for free and I had the replacement two days later.

I'm starting to hear on various forums that CS isn't offering the 3G upgrades any more. It is possible they read these forums and decided to put a stop to that practice since it was so widely known. But who knows. It doesn't hurt to call them back and request a faster delivery. Make sure they understand you really need it for reading.

EDIT: If you have a KK registered on your account, tell them you already gifted that to a family member so you desperately need the PW replaced to read your school material. I know it is a lie, and I normally don't approve of such, but you have to know how to play the CS system to get a fair deal.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As I've mentioned several times previously, I have Page Refresh set to ON. That is the first thing I do with a new Kindle. Other people are seeing it too, so it must be more than hardware especially since it is also happening on the Touch.

I should add that it is very, very slight but I tend to notice small things that others may not.

[Philz]

Originally Posted by jswinden

At first they told me the end of Oct. I read how others were getting it earlier so I called them the next day and said I was really upset that it would take so long, especially since it took a month the first time to get it, and said I really needed a Kindle to read on. They then offered me the 3G upgrade for free and I had the replacement two days later.

I'm starting to hear on various forums that CS isn't offering the 3G upgrades any more. It is possible they read these forums and decided to put a stop to that practice since it was so widely known. But who knows. It doesn't hurt to call them back and request a faster delivery. Make sure they understand you really need it for reading.

EDIT: If you have a KK registered on your account, tell them you already gifted that to a family member so you desperately need the PW replaced to read your school material. I know it is a lie, and I normally don't approve of such, but you have to know how to play the CS system to get a fair deal.

Good Idea, thing is in my case I ordered a 3G as is. So nothing for them to "upgrade" me to other than getting it here ASAP. I have ~6 books to read before the end of the term so I really don't have time to be fiddling with all this. Plus the CS rep didn't seem to understand my issue at all and was trying to say oh the lights are at the bottom, and I'm like yes yes, but this is such a bright upward line on the left side that if something is solid black it shows it as a light grey. This is NOT where a light is...

I'll call monday and hopefully get the US service center.

Originally Posted by Philz

Good Idea, thing is in my case I ordered a 3G as is. So nothing for them to "upgrade" me to other than getting it here ASAP. I have ~6 books to read before the end of the term so I really don't have time to be fiddling with all this. Plus the CS rep didn't seem to understand my issue at all and was trying to say oh the lights are at the bottom, and I'm like yes yes, but this is such a bright upward line on the left side that if something is solid black it shows it as a light grey. This is NOT where a light is...

I'll call monday and hopefully get the US service center.

Unfortunately not all CS reps are good. The first one I got was nice, polite, helpful, but didn't try to get an expedited delivery. The next one was much better. You can use the Kindle for PC, Mac, iOS, or Andriod apps too, but I always prefer my Kindle to the apps. Good luck!

[Trauma Doll]

Interesting to see that more of the cloudy/mottled/splotchy screens are being reported (I'm one of those waiting for a replacement coming 10/9). Does anyone know if the tech blogs have picked up this story yet?

As far as it being a problem that disappears over time, I just double-checked my original PW (hadn't picked it up yet today). Still distractingly blotchy with the backlighting required for an interior room. (For whatever it's worth, I'm typically using it in an air-conditioned room at about 72F. It's still kind of humid here in NC.) The only time it doesn't bug me is in the dark with the backlight set very very low.

Upgrades: I did not 'fish' for an upgrade, although I (very politely) told them I would appreciate anything they could do to beat the "4-6 week" replacement time. It looks on my invoice that I got a PW without offers (my original was SO). Since this is the same hardware (right? just a software change on their end?), I guess they got in more non-3G replacement units. I won't deny I'm somewhat jealous of the people who got the 3G upgrades, but I won't be surprised if Amazon starts cutting back the upgrades. I guess it also depends on how widespread this problem turns out to be.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Blossom

If I buy it he wont let me return it unless it's defective. It's just too much of a hassle for him to drop it off at the UPS store.

That's perfect. Because if it does bother him, tell him too bad, deal as you won't let me return it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Level 24 is for reading with very bright ambient light (i.e. sunlight). The 'dark cones' are completely invisible in those conditions (I just tried it). You would not use that level for most indoor lighting.

Why would you need a light that strong when you have direct sunlight? With my 650, there is no way I would want a light when I have direct sunlight.

Originally Posted by Trauma Doll

Interesting to see that more of the cloudy/mottled/splotchy screens are being reported (I'm one of those waiting for a replacement coming 10/9). Does anyone know if the tech blogs have picked up this story yet?

As far as it being a problem that disappears over time, I just double-checked my original PW (hadn't picked it up yet today). Still distractingly blotchy with the backlighting required for an interior room. (For whatever it's worth, I'm typically using it in an air-conditioned room at about 72F. It's still kind of humid here in NC.) The only time it doesn't bug me is in the dark with the backlight set very very low.

Upgrades: I did not 'fish' for an upgrade, although I (very politely) told them I would appreciate anything they could do to beat the "4-6 week" replacement time. It looks on my invoice that I got a PW without offers (my original was SO). Since this is the same hardware (right? just a software change on their end?), I guess they got in more non-3G replacement units. I won't deny I'm somewhat jealous of the people who got the 3G upgrades, but I won't be surprised if Amazon starts cutting back the upgrades. I guess it also depends on how widespread this problem turns out to be.

I did a quick Google check yesterday to see if any sites other than Kindle related forums were talking about it. I didn't see anything. I think I will put a poll to see how many got replacements. I know it is really not a poll as such, either you did or you didn't, but it will track the numbers though VERY unscientifically.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by 7hir7een

Hmm... now that I've seen some pictures, I think mine may have this problem too. I thought I noticed some greenishness and/or redness when reading but I wasn't sure if it was a defect or normal.

My screen looks like this, taken in a dark room with an iPhone (only camera I have) at full brightness. Do you think it warrants replacement? I don't really want to lose my Kindle to read on (already got rid of my NSTWGL), but I don't want to be stuck with a unit that has problems if I don't have to be.

What do you guys think?

Get it replaced. That would really bother me.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Skydog

I have some "pinkish" and tan mottling, although not nearly as pronounced as yours I notice it when reading and it is distracting. Definitely a production/QC problem.

Get it replaced.